Method for producing a beverage in a beverage container

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In situations where there is no access to cooling devices or electrical supply, such as in train restaurants or beach bars, beverages are often consumed without ice cubes, which affects enjoyment and taste, especially for cocktails that typically include ice.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing beverages in a container by introducing coolant ice moldings into the container before filling it with beverage liquid, allowing the coolant to absorb into the liquid and be sealed, ensuring the ice remains frozen even when the container is stored at a temperature above freezing, with options for the ice to either stick to the bottom or float freely depending on the filling order.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If beverages are bottled in liquid form and frozen using external refrigeration, then the beverage can be stored and transported, but ice cubes are not added during filling and must be added later at serving location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage filling processVSAvoidice cube addition at serving
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding ice cubes to the beverage container during the filling process before sealing, rather than adding them later at the serving location. This ensures ice cubes are already in place when the beverage is bottled, eliminating the need for separate ice addition at serving locations without cooling devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If ice cubes are added at serving location, then beverages can be consumed with ice, but this is impossible in locations without cooling devices or electricity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice cube addition at servingVSAvoidserving in locations without cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the ice addition action in advance during beverage production, sealing ice cubes inside the container before distribution. This allows beverages to be served with ice in any location, including places without cooling devices, electricity, or space for ice storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the container is sealed after adding ice cubes, then the ice remains frozen during storage, but the sealing process must accommodate the ice cubes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice freezing state maintenanceVSAvoidcontainer sealing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sealing process into two stages: first sealing the container with ice cubes inside to maintain freezing, then providing a separate饮用 opening for consumption. This allows the container to be hermetically sealed for reliable ice preservation while still enabling easy access to the beverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the container opening is tapered, then ice cubes can be inserted through the opening, but the opening must be large enough to accommodate the ice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice cube insertionVSAvoidcontainer opening geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric container opening geometry with a tapered shape that is larger at the top for ice cube insertion and smaller toward the bottom for storage stability. This asymmetric design allows easy ice cube insertion through the wider opening while maintaining compact storage profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method ensures that beverages remain chilled and enjoyable by maintaining the ice in a frozen state without the need for external cooling, allowing for consistent temperature control and preventing ice from melting, thus enhancing the drinking experience.

Implementation Method 1

the beverage container is cooled before filling with the beverage liquid in such a way that the container is at a temperature between the freezing point of the beverage liquid and 0°C and any liquid that contacts the container surface during or after the filling process is frozen to the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP3393272B1Method for producing a beverage in a beverage container
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 KUKKI GMBH
  • EP3393272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3393272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure describes a method for producing a beverage in a beverage container, having the following steps: providing a beverage container (11; 31) which is to be filled; introducing a cooling agent to the beverage container (11; 31) through a container opening, wherein the cooling agent has at least one water-ice moulding (15; 35); filling the beverage container (11; 31) with a beverage liquid (12; 32) through the container opening; closing the container opening with a disposable closure and storing the filled beverage container (11; 31) in a cooled environment. The disclosure also covers an apparatus for producing a beverage in a beverage container, as well as a beverage article containing a beverage.